Steam-pipe arrangement for single-expansion articulated steam locomotives



March 31, 1931. w J, BLUNT 1,798,131

STEAM PIPE ARRANGEMENT FOR SINGLE EXPANSION ARTICULATBD STEAM LOCOMOTIVES Filed May 10. 1929' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Jbmes GB/un?" ATTORNEY March 31, 1931. J. G. BLUNT 1,798,131

STEAM PIPE ARRANGEMENT FOR SINGLE EXPANSION ARTICULATED STEAM LOCOMOTIVES Filed May 10, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Jhmes GB/unf iQZGWL) ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 31, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JAMES G. BLUN'I, OF SGHENECTADY, N EW YORK Application filed May 10,

This invention relates generally to steam locomotives of the single expansion articulated type and has for its object to provide a steam pipe arrangement for more efficiently distributing the steam to the cylinders of the locomotive by dividing the steam for one side of the locomotive equally between the front and rear cylinders on the same side in a manner to provide for expansion and flexibility; to lead the exhaust steam from the cylinders to the outlet in the same manner; to eliminate unbalanced expansion slip joints in the live steam conduits, and to utilize balanced pressure joints at points where rotatire or expansive movement is required for flexibility. A further object is the provision of pipe supports which may, although not necessarily, support other auxiliaries of the locomotive and wherein the steam and exhaust pipes are guided while providing freedom for expansion movements.

Single expansion locomotives of the articulated type having the cylinders of the rear unit rigidly attached to the boiler and rear unit frame structure, while the cylinders of the forward unit are attached to the forward frame structure which is articulated with the rear frame structure. Cylinders of both the forward and rear units usually but not necessarily are the same size and it is highly desirable that each cylinder receive its proportionate amount of steam in order that the respective units of the engine will perform their proportionate work.

The improvement claimed is hereinafter fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings; Figure 1 isa side view in elevation of a part of a single expansion articulated locomotive embodying this invention; Fig. 2, a broken plan view of equal extent; Fig. 3, a half front View in elevation of the forward engine unit; Fig. 4, a plan view showing the forward unit swung over as when passing a curve; Fig. 5, a half section on the line VV of Fig. 1; Fig. 6, a partial section on the line VIVI of Fig.1; Fig. 7, a partial section on the line VII-VII of Fig. 1; and, Fig. 8, a section on the line VIII-VIII of Fig. 2.

In the practice of the invention, referring 1929. Serial No. 361,880.

descriptively to the specific embodiment thereof'which is herein exemplified, the cylinders 66 of the rear engine unit are rigidly attached to the rear engine unit frames (not shown) and the boiler 67; while the cylinders 68 of the forward engine unit are rigidly attached to the forward engine unit frames, (not shown) which are hinged to the rear unit frames at the point B shown in Fig. 4. Steam from the boiler is conveyed through the usual pipes (one on each side) in the smokebox to'the points where they pass through the smokebox wall. Each of the openings in the sides of the 'smokebox is covered by a fitting 19 having outlets; one of which 19a, conveys steam to" the forward cylinder 68, and the other, 19?), to the rear cylinder 66. The fittings 19 provide for distributing the proper proportion of steam to the front and rear cylinders on the same side of the locomotive. Balanced expansion joint elbows 22 form the'steam inlet connections to the rear cylinders 66. A bracket, 68, secured to the boiler, is provided with a rectangular opening 63a through which lug 22a projects, or other equivalent means, to enable elbow 22 to resist the longitudinal forces caused by the friction of the expansion joint packing.

Steam pipe sections 24 and 25 are interposed between the outlets 19b and the elbows 22, although each pipe may be in one piece if desired. There is one set of these pipes on each side.

' To convey steam to the front cylinders 68, pipes 21, one on each side, are bolted or attached by any suitable means'to outlets 19a and terminate at their lower ends in a ball. From hereon the flexible connections to the front cylinders are made through two piece articulated oints comprising the ducts 1 and the transverse goose-necks 2. The endof each duct 1 as shown, surrounds a ball joint, althrough this couldvbe, reversed if desired, permitting vertical movement of the front end with respect to the rear end, while outer ends of goose neck members 2 form a joint with the front cylinders to permit radial movement only as the front cylinders swing with respect to the boiler.

Theinner ends of goose necks 2 of the universal joint are slidably, or otherwise, supported on the front cylinders, by means of feet 2a extended downwardly to rest on a bearing plate secured to the top of the cylinders. The path of this sliding movement is radial from the center of the hinge joint forming the cylinder or fulcrum end of the goose neck 2 and the bearing plate isshaped manner to pro'ducethe' least back pressure in thecylindersl This implies passages with minimum of restrictions in the exhaust conduits leading" from the four cylinders and converging and combining into the exhaust jet on the central axis of the stack. As with the live steam lines, expansion and flexibility must be provided for.

In the practice of this invention, exhaust steam from the rear cylinders is conveyed through the inclinedrisers 34, attachedto the front wall of the rear cylinders 66, one on each side of the locomotive, connecting at their .upper ends with the forwardly extendingpipes 29 located beneath the live steam pipes 25. The risers 34 are formed at their ends with suitable bends to provide for attachment to the cylinder. Forward ends of the exhaust ducts 29, are connected with inwardly directed pipes 81 which are attached at their inner ends to the exhaust pipe base 44, and direct the exhaust steam upwardly through the exhaust pipe and nozzle. Exhaust from both front cylinders 68 collected in the cross over pipe 35 bolted to the front wall of the front cylinders and forming, at the center line of the locomotive, the socket for the ball-ended elbow 36 which directs the exhaust from both front cylinders rcarwardly towardthe stack. on the rear end of elbow 36is formed an expansion slip joint including pipe 37,-whichturns upwardly at its rear end, terminating in a ball joint socketedin the exhaustpipe basesel. The ball joints on the ends of the pipe 37 and the elbow 36 permit vertical movement of the front cylinders relative to the boiler, while the slip joint between them provides for the necessary elongation when the front cylin- -ders deflect relative to the boiler, as when passing a curve. Exhaust pipe base 44: is a three inlet arrangement combining} into one fitting the exhaust from boththe front and rear cylinders and directing it upwardly-out of exhaust pipe 13 superposed thereon.

Pipe supports 50 and 51 carry the exhaust pipes 29 and the steam pipes 25, and also, but not necessarily, form the supporting means for the air drums 69; various lines of pipe, such as the air cooling coils, etc., and the running board brackets 70.. It will be noted that'the steam pipes 25 and theexhaust pipes 29 are not rigidly attached to the brackets 50 and 51 but that bothpipes are surrounded by half saddles 19 and 47, respectively, which have sliding contact with the bracket structure enabling the brackets and pipes supported thereby to move in a plane transversely to the'boiler. As clearly shown in Fig. 6, for instance, the brackets are provided with flangesfor bolts (not shown) for holding together the brackets constituting a pair. In order that the pipe saddles may not be cramped, and so prevent their intended slid- I ing movement, the shims 50a are interposed between the bracket body, and the strips 50?) which supports the small auxiliary pipelines. It will be noted that the pipes, 29, are shown differently constructed than the pipes, 25, in

that the pipes 29, are not made in sections t.

provided with a slipping joint. Therefore, when these pipes 29 are influenced by the contra'ctive and expansive force due to changes in temperature, there will be instances where the strains thus put upon the pipes 29 will be relieved by the said pipes slightly bowing out of their normal-straight positions. The brackets 47 are employed to permit such sliglit bowing of the pipes, and to better fitcilitate this, the brackets are set at an angle clearly shown in Fig. .6 consistent with the inclinations of pipes 31 and 34:, andthe directioii thatthe bend in the pipe is most likely to takewhen under compressive or bowing strains. By making strips 506 in aseparate piece, variations can be effected to meet different combinations of'pipe sizes. The inclined block 48 is inserted to form a parallel sliding surface for the pipe saddles l7 with that formed on the bracket body. Air drums 69 are secured to the brackets 50 and 51 by means of the straps 71 while running board angle iron supports 70 are bolted thereto by the bolts 72. i

It will be seen that the construction described provides for the usual design of superheater header having two equal sized outlets, one on each side, and the customarily used two steam pipes, equal insize, inside'thesmoke box; that by dividing the steam supply to the cylinders on each side of the locomotive', a

more even distribution of the steam supply is obtained; that the steam pipes are as direct as possible with the minimum amount of re-:

strictions, yet providing for all movements of the front articulated unit with respect to the rear one, and permitting free expansion ofthe pipes; that the exhaust lines are equally as well arranged for the unrestricted flow of the steam, and that the supporting means for the steam and exhaust lines to the rear cylinders is made to carry other auxiliary devices of the locomotive. The employment of balanced pressure slip joints in the steam pipes to the rear cylinders, and balanced pressure ball joints .in the flexible steam pipes to the front cylinders, wherein there is no tendency for the pipe elements to be forced apart by the action of the internal pressure, and with the minimum pressure on the packing, will rediice the maintenance of these pipe joints and produce a consequent longer life for the packing and minimize the liability of steam leakage.

The invention claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a locomotive comprising a boiler having a plurality of cylinders attached thereto and other cylinders pivotally articulated therewith, a smokebox on the boiler, and steam pipes within the smokebox; the combination of a two-way fitting external the smokebox and communicating with a steam pipe therein; means for conveying steam from the fitting to an attached cylinder, including an expansion joint; and means for conveying steam from the fitting to a pivotally articulated cylinder, including at least three articulated joints.

2. In a locomotive comprising a boiler having a pair of oppositely disposed power cylinders rigidly attached thereto, and another pair of power cylinders pivotally articulated therewith, and a smokebox on the boiler having steam pipes therein; the combination of a two-way fitting external the smokebox communicating with a steam pipe therein; means, including an expansion joint attached in part to the boiler, for conveying steam from the fitting to a rigidly attached cylinder; means for conveying steam from the fitting to a pivotally articulated cylinder, including a plurality of universal oints; and means for slidably supporting one of said universal joints to permit horizontal but not vertical movement.

3. In a locomotive comprising a boiler having a pair of oppositely disposed power cylinders rigidly attached thereto, a smokebox containing steam pipes, and a pair of oppositely disposed power cylinders pivotally articulated therewith; the combination of fittings on either side of the smokebox coinmunicating with the steam pipes therein, adapted to divide the steam from the boiler into equal parts; pipe means on each side of the boiler, including an expansion joint attached in part to the boiler, for conveying a portion of the steam from the fittings to the rigidly attached cylinders; exhaust pipe means between the rigidly attached cylinders and the smokebox, substantially parallel with said steam pipe means; means rigidly attached to the boiler, for conjointly supporting slidably said steam pipes and said exhaust pipes; and pipe means on each side of thereto, various pipes, receptacles and a smokebox; the combination of external steam pipes and exhaust pipes extending between the cylinders and the smokebox; means rigidly attached to the boiler intermediate said cylinders and said smokebox for supporting said steam pipes, exhaust pipes, and said various pipes and receptacles; and-means sup-' ported by said first means slidable relative thereto in a plane transverse to. the boiler, permitting at least one of said pipes to move transversely relatively to the boiler to compensate for expansive and stresses.

5. In an articulated locomotive comprising a boiler, power cylinders attached thereto, and a smoke box containing steam pipes; the combination of substantiallyv parallel steam and exhaust pipes; and means rigidly at tached to the boiler intermediate the cylinders and the smoke box, for supporting the steam and exhaust pipes, said means permitting said steam and exhaust pipes to move transversely relatively to the boiler to compensate for expansion and contraction.

6. In an articulated locomotive comprising a boiler, power cylinders attached thereto, and a smokebox containing a pipe, a pipe connecting said smokebox pipeand a cylinder; means secured rigidly in relation to said boiler for supporting said connecting pipe; and means supported by said first means slidable relative thereto in a plane transverse to the boiler, permitting the pipe to move transversely relatively to the boiler to compensate for expansive and contractive stresses.

7. In a locomotive comprising a boiler having a plurality of cylinders rigidly attached relative thereto and other cylinders articulated therewith, a smokebox on the boiler, and a steam pipe within the smokebox, the combination of a two-way fitting external the smokebox and connecting with the steam pipe therein; means for conveying steam from the fitting to an attached cylinder; and a passage having at least three articulated joints for conveying steam from the fitting to an articulated cylinder.

8. In a locomotive comprisinga boiler having a pair of oppositely disposed power cylinders rigidly attached relative thereto, and another pair of power cylinders articulated therewith, and a smokebox on the boiler having a steam -pipe therein, the combination of a two-way fitting external the smokebox communicating with the steam pipe therein; means for conveying steam from the fitting to contractive a rigidly attached cylinder; and means for conveymgsteaim from the fitting to an articulated'cylind-eighaving a two piece articulated joint, flexible with 'the'movement of an articuiated cylineer relative to the boiler.

9. In a locomotive comprising a boiler having a pair of oppositely disposed power cylinders rigidly attached relative thereto,

and another pair of power cylinders articulated therewith, and a smokebox on the boiler havin a steam pipe therein, the combination or a two-way fittingexternal the smokeboX communicating with the steam pipe therein; means for conveying steam from the fitting to a rigidly attached cylinder; and means for conveying steam from the fitting to an articulated cylinder, having a two piece articulated joint, flexible with the movement of an articulated cylinder relative to the boiler, being secured at one end to provide for radial movement only, and at the other end'to permit vertical angular movement, said articulated joint being adapted to permit of said radial'and angular movements.

10. In a locomotive comprising a boiler having a pair of oppositely disposed power cylinders rigidly attached relative thereto, and another pair of power cylinders articulated therewith, and a smokebox on the boiler having a steam pipe therein, the combination of a t-wo-way fittinge'xternal the smolreboX communicating with the steam pipe therein; means for conveying steam'from the fittmg to a rigidly attached cylinder; and means for conveying steam from the fitting to an articulated cylinder, having a two piece construction, the pieces being joined together and to the fitting and cylinder respectively to permit horizontal and vertical movements of the point of connection to the said cylinder relative the fitting.

1'1. In a locomotive comprising a boiler having a pair of oppositely disposed power cylinders rigidly attached relative thereto, and another pair of power cylinders articulated therewith, and a smokebox on the boiler having a steam pipe therein, the combination 1-2. Ina locomotive comprising a boiler havlng a pair of oppositely disposed power cylinders rigidly attached relative thereto, and "another pair of power cylinders artlcu- 'lated therewith, and asmokebox on the boiler having a steam pipe therein, the combination of-a two-way fitting external the smokebox c'ommun1catmg with the steam plpe therein;

means for conveying steam from the fitting to a rigidly attached cylinder; means for conveying steam from the fitting to anarlticiu lated cylinder; an exhaust fitting in the smokebox and means for conveying exhaust 1 rom an articulatedcylinder to said exhaust at least two articulated oints and said steam conveying means having at least three articulated joints to, permit flexibility ofthe eX- haust conveying means and the steam conveying means as required when the articulated cylinder moves relative to the boiler.

13. In a locomotive having a boiler and a power cylinder articulated therewith, a steam passage between the boiler andcylinder having at least two rigid pipe. sections articulated together and connected at their opposite ends, with adjacent rigid parts of the passage by articulated joints, one of said articulations being a hinged joint for rotation in one plane only andthe other two articulations being universal joints, the said two pipe sections being normally at an angle to each other to permit outward and inward relative movements between their outer ends when running on curved track.

14;. In a locomotive having a boiler and a power cylinder articulated therewith, a jointed sectional steam passagebetween the boiler and-cylinder comprising three articulated joints, one of the articulated joints being between two rigid sections normally set at an angle to each other to permit outward and inward relative movements'between their outer ends when running on curved track, one of said articulations being a hinged joint for rotation in one plane only and the other two articulations being universal joints. v

JAMES G. BLU NT.

.70 fitting, said exhaust conveying means having llO 

